A month of blogging challenge and Friday Fancies #10

Okay ladies... this one has been on the 25 before 25 for a while now and I think December is as good a month as any to attempt blogging every single day for a whole month. I know. It's going to be tough, but I was re-evaluating my list the other day and was painfully shocked when I could only truly cross 2 things off the list. #fail. So I'm posting my agenda for y'all to see. If anyone wants to join me I'd love to have company, if not that's okay too. 

Some days these may be the whole blog post... some days it may be more of an after thought. Either way I think it will be fun, and is a good way to find my voice again.

So here's the plan 

day 1 – recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you as a child
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you’ve been
day 6- favorite super hero and why
day 7-  a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you

day 8- short term goals for this month and why
day 9- something you’re proud of in the past few days
day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
day 11- write a bucket list of things you want to do before you die
day 12- what I would find in your bag
day 13- your 5 favorite books and why
day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
day 16- a picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- write about a sweet memory from your past
day 20- write a letter to someone
day 21-a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- something you crave a lot
day 24- post your favorite quote or verse of scripture and why
day 25- favorite holiday tradition and why
day 26- list 10 things that you are thankful for
day 27- my day job verses my passion
day 28- cruise a thesaurus and pick out 10 words you like the sound of
day 29 – favorite tv shows and why you like them
day 30 – movies you can watch again and again.
day 31 – what is your wish for the new year?

What do you think? Want to join me? Now for the main event...

This week's theme is "My Style" aka what do you actually wear? Well, even though my other Friday Fancies posts suggest otherwise, I do not always glitter and leopard. Shocking. I know. Lately I've been rocking a lot of black and a lot of pencil skirts. I also wear solid cardigans like it's my job. I hate blazers--- and only break them out when I really have a reason. ugh. Anyways. If I want to switch it up I normally throw in a fun scarf or a bright sweater. 

Cardigan | Skirt | Camisole | Flats | Bag | Watch | Earrings | Necklace | Scarf

I am also not a heels girl. Flats all the way. I also strongly believe in investing in gorgeous accessories that you'll love. I'm obsessed with my kate spade bag and my michel kors watch. I know how that makes me sound, but I really do love them... and wear them all the time. If you find something you love that much, invest in it. You'll get your money's worth plus some added joy every time you look at your watch :)

Cookie Craziness

In all of my pinning madness for the birthday party on Saturday I wanted to share with y'all some yummy cookies I'm thinking about making. Click on the photo for the original link and corresponding recipes.

Rolo Stuffed Snickerdoodles

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I pinned these from Rachel Schultz's blog a few days ago--- and I can get them out of my mind. mmm... and there are so many possibilities to switch it up with different candies and doughs. Why didn't I think of this?

Nutella and Peanut Butter  Cookies

insane combo. 

Baked S'mores

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These aren't quite cookies, but they just sound too good not to feature them. Mmmm. my mouth is actually watering at the thought. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Now that is a chocolate chip cookie if I've ever seen one. They aren't fooling around. at all. yum. 

Birthday Party Planning

Friends... I need help. This lady is having a birthday on Saturday. We are throwing her a little soiree at our place on Saturday and I need cute ideas. I spent some time on pinterest the other day, but nothing is jumping out at me. So I'm asking for your help. We are expecting 15-20 people so we're planning on cocktails and maybe breaking out the table for some drinking games. I'm not looking to go over the top, because she's not really that kind of gal, but I do want to make it special. So....

I need decoration ideas. 

cute food ideas.

fun cocktail ideas. 

links to cute printables. 

Normally I'm pretty good at coming up with good ideas, but today I'm struggling. and with a crazy few days at work. Gearing up on my law school applications and a few other things I have cooking at the moment, I'm at a loss for time! 

So please leave me a comment. Tweet me. email me. just send me your best ideas from parties you've been to in the past, cute things you saw on pinterest, etc. HELP PLEASE :)

Happy Tuesday

Hi Friends! I'm home, and suffering from some post thanksgiving depression. I think it's the weather here in dc. 40's. rainy. windy. just generally gross. I had a great time back in Georgia. It's been a year since I've been in Atlanta, and I always seem to forget how much I love it!

Because I'm lazy I'm stealing a few gorgeous photos from my irlbff Lauren. I know I've mentioned her many a time before, but seriously y'all. She has an AMAZING food blog. Go check it out. In the meantime admire her gorgeous photography skills.

via: Lawfully Wedded Wife

Late night at Waffle House is a must when in Georgia. 

We also did some window shopping in Virginia Highlands, and omg yall. I'm obsessed with this sparkly dress. I have inaugural/christmas parties on my mind already and I need some new dresses. 

via: Lawfully Wedded Wife

I'm kind of obsessed with this picture. Do you ever just see yourself and just realize you look so much older than you think? I'm 24, and I fully know that... but I still feel like I look the same as I did when I was 18. This picture definitely proves we have aged gracefully in the years since we left Atlanta

via: Lawfully Wedded Wife

*PS do my teeth look whiter? Why yes they do! I'm about half way through my crest white-strips pack, so I'll have a full review coming soon.

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KC and I had quite the flat tire incident on Friday afternoon. After a little black Friday shopping and lunching she was dropping me off and clipped the curb. Well any normal curb may just scratch the side of your tire... but this curb... no. it put a huge gash on the side of her tire and the thing was flat in mere seconds. Unfortunately her tire guys broke the lock to access her spare... so the ordeal continued. Thankfully Costco had them in stock and we were able to replace it fairly easily so she go get off to athens. It's definitely a story for the record books... but at least we got to spend an extra few hours together! Miss you already!

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Plus. I got to hang with my bff Ashley. I can't believe how old she's getting! She's definitely entering the pre-teen years, which make me sad--- but excited because we'll get to go shopping and drink coffee (and hot chocolate) together more often!

How was your thanksgiving holiday?

also don't forget

Some thoughts for the holiday

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy Almost Turkey Day + Insta-Dump

Hi Friends. I feel like it's been far too long since I've done an instagram dump and just generally updated you on the day to day of my life! Oh wait... that's because it's been over a month. woops.

 

It's been ten days of relaxation and getting back to normal--- which has been greatly appreciated.  Plus I missed Oliver the cat more than I thought I would. Isn't he cute?

I am at work today, but flying to Atlanta for a long weekend first thing tomorrow morning. Then I'll head even further south to Hawkinsville, Georgia to visit with family and have dinner at the Steak House. Thankfully I'll get to spend some quality time in my home town catching up with friends like this one and this one oh and my favorite 9 year old. I'm heading to Athens on Saturday to go between the hedges for the first time in TWO YEARS. So excited. Then... who knows. I fly out Monday night so I'll have some time to kill (just no car) so it should be interesting.

Whatever you're doing and where ever you are I hope you have a fantastic holiday! Eat  lots of yummy food for me :)

Novemeber Birchbox

stila all over shimmer liquid luminizer 

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Review: LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is a gorgeous cream highlighter. And you can get all three for just $20! This would be a perfect stocking stuffer or just little just because gift. They're all gorgeous shades too!

Masqueology 7D Moisture Cream

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Review: really gentile scent. Super creamy. but other than that... ehh. A solid moisturizer but for me, it's not worth the $$.

MCMC Fragrance Phoenix Eau de Parfum

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Review: I think I'm one of the only people who LOVE getting perfume samples in their birchboxes. They are always big enough to last a few weeks and now I have so many I can switch up my daily scent all the time (which I love). This has to be one of my favorites. Ever. It's super floral, but it's very light at the same time. 

Masqueology Revitalizing Eye Mask

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Review: Okay--- I got this weird face mask from these people a few months ago--- and was less than impressed. Needless to say I was disappointed when I saw this in my box. but OH how I was wrong. These are this cool gel pad that you put below you eye and let it dry. First of all, I was obsessed with looking at these. They're like a mesh surrounded by gel and it's awesome. Second. They totally worked. I've been fighting fatigue like no other lately (mostly because my body hates me because I've put it through the most ridiculous sleep schedule the last 4 months), and bags are gone! Yay!

One Love Organics® Aromatic Body Serum

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Review: I'm kind of obsessed with this body serum. It's essentially just a scented oil but I've never really used an  oil to moisturize. I'm in love for real. AND, I apologize if this is TMI, but I've been dealing with some winter eczema on by legs and after only 3 days of using this... it's gone! That has NEVER happened to me before. 

Masqueology Masque Cleanse

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Review: More Masquology? I mean--- I know you're trying to sell this stuff in the store Birchbox--- but three products in one box is a little much. I want more of a variety. Needless to say this was a bit of a miss for me. Lightly scented. Cleaned my face. Not worth the price. But I appreciate the sample.

Purple Smoke

It seems every time fall rolls around I'm itching to switch up my makeup routine. I'm beyond loyal to my naked palette, but lately I've been reaching to a few of my standby clinque shades. I'm obsessed with purple lately. Eggplant liners, purple mascara, burgundy shadows... I can't get enough. 

Today I have a few of my favorite pins for you to get you excited.  

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Happy Monday Ladies!

Friday Fancies #9: Fall Favorites

Trench Coat  |  Pleated Skirt  |  Top  |  Shoes  |  Watch  |  Earrings 

This week's theme is one of my favorites. I've been feeling a little woeful lately with all of this cold weather. I strolled down Pennsylvania Ave on Wednesday night, and I couldn't get over how quickly the season changed. I know I've been living under a rock... and then in Ohio, but seriously, it was JUST summer, right?  So even though I'm loving pulling out all of my scarves and coats, I'm happy to hang on to just a little more of the fall fun.

Color blocking. Neons. Leopard. Flowy skirts. Gold. Yes. Yes and Yes. I'm still loving all of these trends, and will probably carry them in to winter. Don't judge me.

What fall trends are you not willing to left go?

Have a great weekend!!!!

Lets Start Shopping

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet... but a girl can start to hunt right? After browsing Sephora I'm positive the majority of my Christmas list is going to be made up off of that site. Friends and Family... just go ahead and register for the rewards program now. k. thanks. Here are a few sets that will certainly make an appearance on my list this year. What's on your Holiday shopping list?

Sexy Little Stowaways

Snow Angel Palette

The Master Class Palette

Give Me Some Lip

Currently....

Currently....

feeling some mixed emotions about being back at work.

watching to CNN... and way too excited about it.

reading about a million emails from the last month. ridiculous.

hurting... SO sore from yoga last night. But it hurts so good.

lusting after this bedroom....

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planning what to do with all this time in my life... big things are coming

evaluating my 25 before 25... I've made some headway in the last few weeks!

wearing real clothes for the first time in over a month... don't know how I feel about it.

excited for the Cap Fabb meet-up tonight! Who else is going?

what are you doing currently??

Fresh Start.

Well. I'm home. Getting back to the old routine. It feels like it's been so long. I started LSAT prep four whole months ago. Then with in hours of finishing the test I was prepping to head out to Ohio. Now I'm home. I don't have call time. I don't have class. I don't really know what to do with myself.

I feel like the blog has lost focus, because I was so hyper-focused on the campaign and the LSAT--- so I hope y'all will continue to visit as I try to find my voice again. Does anyone have advice on re-setting?

In the meantime I'm going to start going to yoga again. Get back to working on the 25 before 25. Get ready for the holidays (ps when did that happen???)

And since everyone loves sparkly things....

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Homeward bound.

I'm coming home. Today. Right now. AHHH!!!!!!

I need the city. I need the noise. I need the metro. I need the $12 cocktails. 

I missed my bed. My cat. My clothes. My room. My friends. My DVR.

I am NOT cut out for life in the country. Steubenville. It's been real. But I'm coming home. 

What I will miss about Steubenville: the lack of traffic, the ridiculously cheap alcohol, the return to college-like lifestyle, the wonderful friends I made, our amazing vols and supporters, wearing dirty yoga pants everyday and passing as put together. Kroger. Being able to see the stars. Did I mention I didn't get dressed for almost a month? And of course the amazing campaign team. It was only a month, but these people seriously changed my life. You guys should seriously watch out because we are going to be a big deal one day. 

What I will not miss about Steubenville: 97% of the people who live here, the apathy, the amount of uneducated crazy republicans--- I don't care if you're a republican but PLEASE tell me why, the endless hours of fruitless call time. The lack of good coffee.  Everything is fried. The racism. Having to count the lettuce on a burger as a vegetable.  yard signs. Being able to see the stars. Not having time to do laundry.  Not getting to spend enough time playing with makeup. Not sleeping. Yard Signs. Fast Food. Canvassing the ghetto. oh and the yard signs. 

peace out Ohio. It's been real. 

We did it.

*This is a letter to myself. I need a venue to just release my experience of the last month. I promise I'll curtail the political rhetoric to the best of my abilities in the future but for today just sit back and listen*

The emotional roller coaster  I've been on the last few weeks has been a crazy one, but I would do this again 100 times over. It was absolutely amazing to be apart of the team. I'm sure my experiences were like so many others in field, but the people and the volunteers I worked with were the greatest and the most frustrating all at the same time. Honestly, one of the greatest moments of my life was being on the staff call with POTUS today, after winning the election. E-day was just so surreal, I couldn't believe that it was really happening and we won. I spent the evening just thinking "is this really happening, no, they're still going to throw something at us." The win, hours of work, the emotional highs and lows of constituent contact, the massive disruption in my life plans and my utter exhaustion, none of it had sunken in. Not until that call when POTUS came on to thank the team. That's when it hit me. When he got chocked up about how honored he is to lead us, I just lost it. I started sobbing. I beyond proud to represent him, and beyond honored to have him say so many amazing things about our team. The weight of the last 5 months of stress just completely bottomed out from under me and I just melted. As I was driving to get some coffee and go break down the office, listening to that call and sobbing I spot one of our local characters Dwayne.

Dwayne spent a good seven hours of election day in front of our office with his boom box and an Obama sign dancing, inviting people in and encouraging the random passerby to vote. As I was utterly overwhelmed with emotion I pulled up to a stop sign and who do I see across the street? It's Dwayne still with his boom box still dancing a day later, screaming "Obama! Obama! Obama!"  I had to park the car and give him a hug and just thank him. He and the rest of these hard working people make this so worth it. He will probably never leave Steubenville, he'll never graduate college nor will he have the financial security that so many of us have grown accustomed to. But our president has made his life better. Duane has healthcare coverage for the first time in decades. His foodstamps are still there when life is especially hard. His utter enthusiasm for our President and the good work we've done and will continue to do, brings a smile to my face. He is why I did this. I'll never forget Dwayne dancing in the streets for President Obama in Steubenville, OH. Never.

So....

I DOMINATED!!!!!

LSAT over.

Boom.

I'm beyond thrilled. Have an insane amount energy to keep me going late into the evening. Which is good because I'll be at work until probably 3 am.

Thanks all of you for your support over the last what... 4 months? Jeez, I can't even believe it.  I'm so excited to get back home and finally start giving 100% to the blog again. It's been FAR too long.

I seriously can't even believe my score. It's 11 points higher than the last time I took the test. yes. you read that right. 11!!!!!

xo--- from Ohio!

That time I forgot Halloween....

Long time no see ladies! I only have a few minutes before call time starts again, but for my sanity I felt like I needed to check in with y'all and step away from the political rhetoric.

I forgot yesterday was Halloween.

Yes. You read that right. Epic fail on my part. I have completely tuned out all news, weather and general happenings if it doesn't somehow relate to the presidential race in Ohio.

So. On November 1, I'm sharing some lust worthy pumpkin bags to get me through.

Jason Wu  |  Tory Burch  |  Dooney & Bourke  |  Kalina Satchel |  UDoBuy  |  BooHoo Shopper


Until another day ladies. I promise to resurface soon #5days!

PS if anyone is interested in doing some Get Out the Vote work this weekend send me an email (thebluedogbelle@gmail.com)